Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Franco Mussida calls it a day for Premiata Forneria Marconi._________________________________________________________________________________

Last week Italian band Premiata Forneria Marconi announced that founder member Franco Mussida decided to leave the band after 45 years.

Here's a translation of the band's statement: "After many years of intense work together, Franco Mussida has decided to leave PFM. His other artistic activity and his presidency of the CPM Music Institute no longer allow him to bring to the band his usual contribution. To ensure its continuity, PFM requires dedication and energy, also because of the intense activity both in Italy and abroad. Mussida strongly wishes to express an affectionate farewell to his fans and his pals on the group with a reassuring statement: "I apologize to my fans and my bandmates, but my current artistic and educational projects and research on musical communication I started 30 years ago, completely absorb my time and thoughts. I give Franz and Patrick a hug and I'm sure they will continue to give that joy and energy which have always been a characteristic of this group. Thank you all for the warmth, affection and esteem that you gave me and that I will always carry that with me".

Di Cioccio and Djivas also made statements: "We wish Franco to realize his plans. For our part, we confirm we are continuing PFM's artistic career with the curiosity, the motivations and the renewed enthusiasm that a change always brings. We thank our audience for what they gave us so far and for what we will discover together with new projects"

Other founding members were violin player Mauro Pagani (who left in 1977), keyboard player Flavio Premoli (until 1980, then again in their 1997 reunion before definitely leaving in 2005) and bass player Giorgio Piazza (until 1973).